No Rest For Messi: Argentine Has Played 990 Minutes In 11 Matches For Barcelona

For the first time since his debut with the Catalan team, he has played the opening 11 official matches, with seven league games, the two Supercopa de Espana and the Champions League clash.

Up to now the most that the Argentine had participated in at the start of a campaign came in 2014 during Luis Enrique’s first season in charge when he played the full 90 minutes of the first ten matches before being subbed against Ajax in the Champions League, midway through the second half.

The discussion of when the coaches should give the Barcelona forward a rest is always the talk of each season. It is tricky as there are moments where he seems tired but then suddenly appears and decides the game.

And it is not easy to bench the player because his reactions are unpredictable. Many times he has been seen with a serious face when being subbed off or is unhappy with the coach the next day.

The reality is that he is the most decisive player in Barcelona and since Neymar’s departure from the Catalans and the arrival of Ousmane Dembele, who is currently out with an injury, Messi’s role in the team is ever more vital.

The next game after his international duty with Argentina would be a good opportunity to give him rest but then the rival is Atletico Madrid and so the chances of him watching the match from the sidelines are very small.